Ag-gag bill

Published: Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 8:32 p.m.

To the editor: “Despicable, unconstitutional, ridiculous, immature, idiotic, and mendacious.” And that’s just how Tennessee newspapers characterized the state’s “ag-gag” bill now awaiting the governor’s signature.

“Ag-gag” bills criminalize whistle-blowing that exposes animal abuses, unsafe working conditions and environmental problems on factory farms. Instead of encouraging whistle-blowing and preventing these violations, ag-gag laws ensure that consumers and regulatory authorities are kept in the dark.

Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota and Utah have enacted ag-gag laws, but such bills were defeated in eight other states, thanks to a strong outcry from the public and newspaper editors.

In 2013, new ag-gag bills were introduced in Arkansas, California, Indiana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont and Wyoming. The language has been invariably drafted by the infamous anti-consumer American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

Each of us who feels that our government must never restrict our right and obligation to know where our food comes from should urge our state legislators and governor to oppose the ag-gag bill.

Bobby Richardson

Mill Spring

‘1-percenters’

To the editor: I enjoyed Harold Hellickson’s op-ed column on “ ‘1-percenters’ profit from our problems” that was published in the Times-News on April 30.

His comments regarding the undue political and other influence the “1-percenters” have on both elected and career government employees seems “spot on” as it relates to those currently in political and governmental positions.

A related story was published on page C6 that day with the following comments from a man who wants to influence favorable legislation to his “gambling” industry: “ ‘We didn’t give them money because we liked them,’ (William) George said. ‘We just knew they were powerful people up in Raleigh and they could get done what we wanted to get done. You give them your money, and they’re supposed to do what they say they’re going to do.’ ”

Reminds me of the old joke about buying a politician: “When I buy a politician, I expect him to stay bought.”

Neb Conner

Tryon

‘Souvenir’

To the editor: One of the laugh-out-loud funniest shows to have ever played at Flat Rock (for only 10 shows in 2007) returned Wednesday for a full run this time. The wonderful Linda Edwards, who been in more than 50 shows here since 1988, will again be in the lead of “Souvenir,” and she is one of our all-time great talents and comedians.

The story of a tone-deaf opera singer with enough money to push on no matter what the critics and audiences’ ears say is actually born from a real-life story. The twists and turns and sweet finale left us tired from laughing during Edwards’ first spin in the role. Edwards has had major hits in “Pump Boys & Dinettes,” “Steel Magnolias,” “Guys & Dolls,” “Beauty & The Beast,” and as an unforgettable Fairy Godmother in “Cinderella,” though everyone has their own list of their Edwards favorites.

Be sure to catch the best night of bad singing you could ever imagine in “Souvenir”!

<p>To the editor: Despicable, unconstitutional, ridiculous, immature, idiotic, and mendacious. And that’s just how Tennessee newspapers characterized the state’s ag-gag bill now awaiting the governor’s signature.</p><p>Ag-gag bills criminalize whistle-blowing that exposes animal abuses, unsafe working conditions and environmental problems on factory farms. Instead of encouraging whistle-blowing and preventing these violations, ag-gag laws ensure that consumers and regulatory authorities are kept in the dark.</p><p>Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota and Utah have enacted ag-gag laws, but such bills were defeated in eight other states, thanks to a strong outcry from the public and newspaper editors.</p><p>In 2013, new ag-gag bills were introduced in Arkansas, California, Indiana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont and Wyoming. The language has been invariably drafted by the infamous anti-consumer American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).</p><p>Thirty newspapers and 60 national animal protection, workers’ rights, civil liberties, public health, food safety and environmental conservation organizations have recently gone on record as strongly opposing ag-gag bills.</p><p>Each of us who feels that our government must never restrict our right and obligation to know where our food comes from should urge our state legislators and governor to oppose the ag-gag bill.</p><p><em>Bobby Richardson</em></p><p><em>Mill Spring</em></p><h3>1-percenters’</h3>
<p>To the editor: I enjoyed Harold Hellickson’s op-ed column on  1-percenters’ profit from our problems that was published in the Times-News on April 30.</p><p>His comments regarding the undue political and other influence the 1-percenters have on both elected and career government employees seems spot on as it relates to those currently in political and governmental positions.</p><p>A related story was published on page C6 that day with the following comments from a man who wants to influence favorable legislation to his gambling industry:  We didn’t give them money because we liked them,’ (William) George said. We just knew they were powerful people up in Raleigh and they could get done what we wanted to get done. You give them your money, and they’re supposed to do what they say they’re going to do.’ </p><p>Reminds me of the old joke about buying a politician: When I buy a politician, I expect him to stay bought.</p><p><em>Neb Conner</em></p><p><em>Tryon</em></p><h3>Souvenir’</h3>
<p>To the editor: One of the laugh-out-loud funniest shows to have ever played at Flat Rock (for only 10 shows in 2007) returned Wednesday for a full run this time. The wonderful Linda Edwards, who been in more than 50 shows here since 1988, will again be in the lead of Souvenir, and she is one of our all-time great talents and comedians.</p><p>The story of a tone-deaf opera singer with enough money to push on no matter what the critics and audiences’ ears say is actually born from a real-life story. The twists and turns and sweet finale left us tired from laughing during Edwards’ first spin in the role. Edwards has had major hits in Pump Boys & Dinettes, Steel Magnolias, Guys & Dolls, Beauty & The Beast, and as an unforgettable Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, though everyone has their own list of their Edwards favorites.</p><p>Be sure to catch the best night of bad singing you could ever imagine in Souvenir!</p><p><em>Aubry Carmody</em></p><p><em>Fletcher</em></p>